Refrigerating apparatus



REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Filed June 27, 1923 His fitter-neg.

Ira h. Emndcl.

.called compressor-con Patented May 22, 1928.

UNITED STATES TRA H. REINDEL, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN,

ASSIGNOR TO DELCO-LIGHT COMPANY, OF

DAYTON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

REFRIO'EBATING APPARATUS.

Application filed June 27,

This invention relates to the art of auto matically controlling valves, switches, or any other movable devices in response to variations of conditions in selected localities. It is particularly applicable to, and intended for use in refrigeratin machines of the so enser-expander circuit type for the purpose of controlling operation of the prime mover and the circulation of the cooling fluid, to the end that tem peratures within the refrigerating chamber may be kept within a desired range.

In application Serial No. 468,801, filed by John R. Replogle and Manuel A. Lassen, there is disclosed and claimed an instrumentality designed to arrive at a similar end and in which there are separate, automatically actuated devices for controlling a prime mover and the circulation of a cooling fluid, respectively, but in which the prime mover is also under the control of the device that actuatesthe controlling means for the cooling fluid. It is an object of this invention to improve the operation of controlling devices having a similar end in view, and particularly to simplify the valve which controls and regulates circulation of the cooling fluid, to assure ease and certainty of its operation; and in general to simplify the organization, the operation of assembling the parts, reduce manufacturing costs and otherwise improve this general type of mechanism.

These objects are achieved by the mechanism herein specifically described illustrated in the accompanying drawing and defined in the appended claim.

In the drawing there is shown, partly in elevation and partly in section, so much of a controlling apparatus for a refrigerating machine as is necessary to disclose the construction and illustrate the operation of this invention.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention S indicates, as a whole, one of the devices to be actuated and controlled, and V another. Device S may be considered as a means for starting and stopping a prime mover, and is illustrated as a snap switch of known construction. The device V is illustrated as a needle or conical plunger type valve so placed as to control the circulation of fluid for cooling a condenser. A indicates, as a unit, an

1923. Serial No. 648,131.

automatic actuator for actuating the prime mover controlling device; the said actuator will hereafter be referred to as the switch actuator. B indicates, as a unit, an automatic actuator for opening the circulation controlling device and will hereafter he referred to as the valve actuator. C indicates, as a unit, a chambered casing for valve -V and immediately associated parts, said casing also serving as a portion of the conduit through which fluid circulates. The valve actuator B ma also actuate the prime mover controlling device as will be explained hereinafter.

The automatic actuating and controlling devices referred to are mounted on a frame F-, which comprises-posts or columns 11 rising from a switch box 12 and supporting on their upper ends a frame member such as a platform 13 on which rest the actuating units A and B, and the valve casing C with enclosed parts. The platform 13 is provided with depending bifurcated brackets or hangers 14 and 15 spaced on opposite sides of the switch actuating unit -A- and above the switch box 12. Said platform also has three substantially equally spaced and alined openings such as 16 which form seats for the casings of the actuating units A and B and valve casing C. These openings are surrounded by annular elevations 17, upon which the several casings rest. The drawing does not show the opening 16 for receiving the casing of the switch actuating unit A, but it will be understood that the opening for receiving the casing of said unit A is substantially identical with the opening for receiving the casing of The unit B. Between the actuating units A and B a threaded socket 18 is formed in the platform 13, and another similar socket is formed in said platform between the actuating unit B and the valve casing C. Both threaded sockets 18 are adapted toreceive tie bolts or studs 19, the upper ends of which pass through orifices in a clamp plate 20 adapted to secure the actuating units A and B and the valve casing C in position upon the platform 13. The clamp plate or yoke 2-0 is notched at opposite ends and perforated between its ends in order that it may receive reduced ends of and bear upon the casings of units A and B and upon the valve casing C. Thumb nuts 21 screwed on the upper threaded ends of tie bolts 19 clamp said plate 20 firmly upon the several casings and hold them securely upon the platform 13.

As the actuators A and B are of identical construction a description of the valve actuator B will fully disclose the mechanism of both. The valve actuator B comprises a generally cylindrical casing 22 which may be drawn or spun from sheet metal and formed with an upper reduced neck 23 and a lower outward extending flange 24. VVithin the neck 23 is secured a coupling 25 having an interior threaded bore adapted to receive the threaded end of a pipe 26. Housed within casing 22 is a flexible impervious diaphragm consisting of an axially compressible, corrugated bellows 27 of tubular form, preferably of metal, the upper end of wh ch makes a fluid tight connection, as by brazlng or soldering, with a solid head 28 to the center of which is fixed a plunger 29 depending through opening 16 in platform 13. The lower end of bellows 27 is flanged outward beneath the flange 24 of the casing 22 as indicated at 30. A head 31 having a diameter substantially equal to that of the lower flanged end of casing 22 clamps between it and flange 24 the flanged part 30 of the bellows. Flanges 24, 30 and the outer zone of head 31 are provided with registering perforations. through which pass bolts 32 for securing said heads 31, casing 22 and bellows 27 together in such manner as to make a fluid tight joint. The central portion of head 31 is depressed so as to form a cylindrical boss 38 having a central opening 34. This boss fits neatly within opening 16 so that the casing'inay be accurately and easily assembled. Seated within the cup-like depression in the upper side of the boss 33 is a nut 35 through which is threaded a guide member 36 having a nurled head 37 and a central bore 38 in which the plunger 29 is slidable. The upper end of guide member 36 may be reduced as at 39. Over the reduced portion 39 there is fitted a perforated cup-like body 40 having a flanged lower end, serving as a spring seat, resting upon the shoulder on guide 36 formed at the junction of the reduced end of the latter with the main body thereof. A coil spring 41 surrounds plunger 29 between the spring seat and the head 28 of the bellows 27 said spring being retained concentric with plunger by said body 40 and a spring centering member 42 coaxial with head 28 and plunger 29.

Valve casing C is included in a fluid conduit and is provided with passages 43 and 44 thereof opening at right angles to each other within a cavity 45 in said casing. Pipes 46 and 47 are tapped into the casing in communication respectively with said passages 43 and 44. The casing C may be a casting having a main chamber 48 of which cavity 45 is a branch. The lower end of easing C is flanged, as at 49, and a head 50 similar to the head 31, holds between it and the flange 49 the flanged lower end 51 of a diaphragm consisting of a bellows 52, preferably of metal, similar to the bellows 27 described as forming part of valve actuator unit 15 and the upper end of which is brazed or otherwise'secured fiuid'tight to an imperforate disk-like collar or enlargement 5 of the valve stem 53. Bolts 32 pass through registering perforations in flanges 49, 51 and head 50, whereby the bellows 52 can be sealed against the passage of fluid from one side to the other. The head 50 is formed with a cup-like boss, the same as the head 31 previously described, within which is seated a nut 54 engaged by threaded guide member having a nurled head 56 and a central bore 57 in which the valve stem 53 is adapted to slide. The guide has a reduced upper end over which is seated a perforated inverted cup-like body 58 having a lower flanged end forming a spring seat. Surrounding valve stem 53 is a compression spring 59, the lower end of the spring bearing upon the flange of body 58 and the upper end against the under side of disk like enlargment 53 thereby tending to close the valve.

In order to enable the automatic valve actuator B to open the valve V, a lever 60 of the third order, fulcrumed at 61 to depending bracket 15, is connected with the plunger 29 and valve stem 53. The work end of lever 60 is attached to a threaded coupling 62 adjustably connected to the threaded lower-end of valve stem 53, a pin 63 on the coupling engaging a slot in the lever. Plunger 29 is connected by pin and slot to the lever 60 between its ends to apply force thereto for opening the valve. Preferably the lower end of plunger 29 and the lower end of coupling 62 are slotted vertically to accommodate the lever and provide strong connections between the valve stem plunger and lever.

Plunger 64, which is connected to a diaphragm or bellows device within the casing of switch actuator A in the manner described in connection with the valve actuator B, has its lower end connected to a lever 65 of the third. order which is fulcrumed at 66 to the lower end of bracket 15 below the fulcrum pin 61. Bracket 14, heretofore mentioned, is bored to form a guidway for an adjustableslide member 67, within the lower bifurcated end of which is fulcrumed a lever 68 also of the third order. The member 67 is adjustable vertically within the bore of bracket 14, said member 67 having an upward projecting stem 69, the upper end of which is threaded and engaged by a nurled thumb nut 70, the upper and lower faces of which are in substantial contact with arms 71 projectin from a bracket 7 2 which is secured to t e platform 13 by machine screws 7 3. By rotating the thumb nut, thus moving the, member 67 up or down, the fulcrum of lever 68 may be correspondingly adjusted. The work arm of lever is connected to thelever 68 by pin and slot connection at 74. The work arm of lever 68 is pivoted at to a plunger 76, the lower end of which actuates the snap switch S in a well known manner, movement of the plunger downward a certain extent causing the switch to close, and moving it upward a certain extent causing it to open, said switch being shown open in the drawing. Carried on lever 65 between its fuicrum and work points is a perforated cap or plate 77 through which the lower end of plunger 6 L projects. The lower end of plunger 6% is reduced to form a shoulder against which rests a collar 78 which is prevented from moving over the end of said plunger by means of pin 79. Secured to the lever 65 beneath the cap 77 is a spring casing or support which encloses a coil compression spring 81, the upper end of which bears on the under side of collar 78, while the lower end bears upon the bottom of said casing or support. Plunger 64, therefore, transmits movement to the switch actuating plunger 76 by'means of a compound lever mechanism of the third order. The spring 81 may permit a certain lost motion between the plunger 64 and the lever 65 on relative downward movement of plunger 64 with respect to said lever, the movement of plunger 64 being transmitted through the spring. It is the downward movement of the. plunger that actuates the switch toward closed position.

In order that the switch may be actuated under certain conditions by the valve actuator B, lever 65 is extended beyond the fulcrum point 66 to a point beneath the lower end of plunger 29 and within the range of its movement when actuated by relatively heavy pressure whereb a downward movement of the plunger 29 beyond a certain limit will depress the end of lever 65 which, then acting asa lever of the first order, lifts the lever 68 and plunger 76 to open the switch.

Thus, should, for example, the supply of cooling water fail for any reason, the motor would be stopped.

As indicated by the arrows in the drawing, the cooling fluid, used for cooling the condenser, flows into the valve casing through pipe 47 and out through pipe 46. Pipe 46 is assumed to lead to the cooling apparatus of the condenser and pipe 47 to lead from the course of cooling fluid supply.

In the use indicated, pipe 26 would be connected to the'high pressure side of the compressor, preferably in, the line between the condenser and the evaporator, so that should pressure rise in this line, the valve actuator B will depress the plunger 29, pull down the valve stem 53 and open the valve V, thus admitting cooling fluid to the condenser cooling apparatus and reducmg the pressure. When the pressure falls again springs 41 and 59 restore the valve to closed position.

Pipe 26 leading into the casing of switch actuator A in the use indicated may communicate with a fluid containing thermostatic vessel located within the chamber that contains the evaporating coil so that should the temperature in this chamber rise beyond a predetermined point, the fluid within the thermostat will expand and apply pressure to the top of the bellows member of the switch actuator A, depressplunger 64, compress spring 79 and soon push the levers 65 and 68 downward so as to close the switch, and start the prime mover and compressor. The closing of the switch permits levers 65 and 68 to suddenly drop bringing cap 77 into contact with collar 78 whereby the parts are in such position that when the temperature in said chamber falls and the volume of fluid in the thermostat therefore con tracts, plunger 64 and lever 65 will be immediately lifted by the compression spring within the bellows.

By the use ofa, valve of the type shown for controlling circulation of cooling fluid, stuffing boxes are avoided and the advantage is had of a valve which cannot leak around the stem and which can be moved without excessive friction, the bellows serving to exclude all water and rendering unnecessary the use of snug joints about the valve stem.

The screw plugs 36 and 55 are adapted to adjust the tension of the springs within the bellows described. The threaded connection 62 between lever 60 and valve stem 53 provides for another adjustment whereby the valve may be adapted to open under different pressures or to different degrees.

The adjustable support 67 provides for all necessary adjustments between the snap switch and the switch actuator A.

lVhile the form of mechanism herein shown and described constitutes a preferred embodiment of one form of invention, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted and various changes and alterations made in the shape, size, and proportion of the elements therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is as follows:

In a control device for a refrigerating apparatus, in combination with a water supply conduit, a casing connected to the conduit containing a valve for controlling the flow of water through the conduit, a second casing containing a pressure responsive device adapted to operate said valve, a casing said pressure responsive devices, connections between the operating means of the valve and the operating means of the other pressure responsive device, the switch operating connection being disposed in the path of the valve operating connection whereby move ment of the pressure responsive device to close the valve will open the switch.

In testimony whereof I hereto afiix my signature.

IRA H. REINDEL. 

